Chapter 9: Problem 9
In Problems 7–12, show that each series converges absolutely. $$ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^{n}} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges absolutely.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Series
The given series is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^{n}} \). This is an alternating series because it includes \((-1)^{n+1}\), which alternates the sign of each term.
02
Clarify Absolute Convergence
A series \( \sum a_n \) converges absolutely if the series \( \sum |a_n| \) converges. Here, \( a_n = (-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^{n}} \), so \( |a_n| = \frac{n}{2^{n}} \). We need to determine if \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n}{2^{n}} \) converges.
03
Apply the Ratio Test
To test absolute convergence, apply the Ratio Test: if \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| < 1 \), the series converges. Compute:\[\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \frac{n+1}{2^{n+1}} \cdot \frac{2^n}{n} = \frac{n+1}{2n}\]
04
Evaluate the Limit
Calculate the limit of \( \frac{n+1}{2n} \) as \( n \to \infty \):\[\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{n+1}{2n} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \frac{n}{2n} + \frac{1}{2n} \right) = \frac{1}{2} + 0 = \frac{1}{2}\]Since \( \frac{1}{2} < 1 \), the series \( \sum \frac{n}{2^{n}} \) converges.
05
Conclusion of Absolute Convergence
Since the series of absolute values \( \sum \frac{n}{2^{n}} \) converges by the Ratio Test, the original series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^{n}} \) converges absolutely.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Alternating Series
An alternating series is a series whose terms alternate in sign. This means, for every term, the sign changes between positive and negative. Let's look at an example of an alternating series:
- The series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^n} \) is alternating because it has the term \((-1)^{n+1}\), which switches the sign for every \(n\).
- Alternating series can still converge even if individual terms keep switching from positive to negative.
Ratio Test
The Ratio Test is a powerful tool used to determine the convergence or divergence of a series. It evaluates the ratio of successive terms in the series and examines its limit as \(n\) approaches infinity. Here’s how it works:
- For a series \(\sum a_n\), consider the ratio \(\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\).
- If \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| < 1\), the series converges absolutely.
- If the limit is greater than 1, the series diverges, and if it equals 1, the test is inconclusive.
Convergent Series
A convergent series is one where the sum of its terms approaches a finite number as more terms are added. Several methods can determine series convergence, each with specific requirements:
- For a series to be absolutely convergent, the series of absolute values must converge. That is, \(\sum |a_n|\) must approach a finite limit.
- The given series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1} \frac{n}{2^n}\) is proven to converge absolutely by showing \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n}{2^n}\) itself converges using the Ratio Test.